Aaratica
This species of intelligent bird people migrated to the mountainous island of Cormoran off the coast of Aris. It is believed that they were created by the Great Wing the de facto ruler of the Plane of Air in an attempt to colonize the Material Plane with air elementals but once they arrived the Ethereal Plane cut them off from their ruler. Due to the magic of the Plane of Air, they became incredibly adaptable and quickly diversified into several shapes and forms as they initially explored the Material Plane, mainly taking on the form of birds.
All Aratica range from more humanoid-like to more Avianoid-like.
Aaratica are split into four major subraces:
Aarakocra
The Aarakocra view themselves as the purest Aaratica as they are more humanoid in form, though they themselves range in likeness to Avians.
Aaraparva
A smaller subrace of Aaratica that are more Avian in form, usually easily identifiable by lack of hand, with either talons in place or more articular wings.
Kenku
This offshoot of Aarakocra was discriminated against by the Arakocra for their willingness to quickly abandon the ways of the Great Wing and connect themselves with the human god of deceit, Mistress Gastra. This discrimination led to the Arakocra enslaving them and cutting their wings. They were easily identifiable by the form of which they took from the Corvis.
Owlfolk
This offshoot of Aaratica aligned themselves with the magic of the Feywildand took on the form of Owls, also heavily discriminated against by the Aarakocra but typically live away from them in forested areas.
Basic Information
Anatomy
These aerial bipeds have much variety in their shape and form. The Aaratica are covered in feathers and possess two taloned feet. However, they can have a variety of hands from humanoid hands covered in feathers, two additional taloned appendages, or hyper articulated wings. All Aaratica possess wings at birth though Kenku have their wings clipped at birth as a form of discrimination.
Aaratica's form and size have spectrums of variety, from an exceptionally humanoid in form, to a form nearly indistinguishable from birds. Aarakocra and Aaraparva are distinguished only by this variation in form and size.
Inside the Aaratica they retain aspects from their Air Elemental origins. Specifically, within their hollow bones, they retain flowing shafts of air that connect to the various air sacs in their bodies.
Genetics and Reproduction
From their Air Elemental past the reproduction process is done through a strange form of intercourse in which two Aaratica exchange air, in this exchange the female Aaratica lays an egg which holds in it pure wind energy which quickly develops into a young Aaratica adolescent over the course of 3 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
After hatching from their egg the young Aaratica ages quite quickly into a mature Aaratica by the age of 2 years old. They usually live for almost 30 years thanks to the quickly fleeting air elemental energy that is lost from them as they both fly and breath. Upon their death, they expand the last remaining amount of their elemental energy, which can be quite violent if they pass at a young age. This is usually through a blast of air blasting out of the air nozzles located on their wings and through their mouth.
Ecology and Habitats
Aaratica spends a large amount of their time in the sky flying around but can inhabit most environments without many issues but typically prefer areas of high elevation. Owlfolk are the only Aaratica that enjoy spending the majority of their time in heavily forested areas where they are able to hide easier. Kenku are locked down to the ground even in high elevated areas, in which they developed a better ability to climb in these areas.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Aaratica have thick eye lens that protect their eyes during flight although it doesn't improve their vision beyond the capabilities of humans.
The magical air sacs help produce uplift for Aaratica during their flight, allowing them to do so without the need for larger wings compared to their body size.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Halitus avis
Lifespan
30 years
Average Height
0.5 - 6.5 ft.
Average Weight
1 - 90 lbs.
Geographic Distribution
